THE CLERK TO THE BENCH.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 57, 3 January 1883, Page 2

THE CLERK TO THE BENCH.

We aaotice that Mr G. T. Connelly, the Minister of Justice, has returned to Wellington after his Christmas holidays, and that during the next week or two Mr DicKj Mr Connelly and Mr Walteb

Johnston will conduct the Government during the absence of the other Ministers. ; This will give the deputation appointed . at a public meeting held some time ago, ' consisting of Messrs Lethbbidge and | Fey, an opportunity of proceeding to j Wellington, assured that they will find j to receive them the two Ministers who j are the especial objects of their visit, and : in whose hands lies the suecess or otherwise of their mission. Their petition will j be made to Mr < "onnellt, asjMinister of I Justice, but the supporc of Mr Walter \ Joiinstox, as the member for Manawatu, ! will doubtless be necessary to assist in : removing the obstacles that will certainly be put in their way, by either the head of the department or some other interested person or persons. That such obstruction will have to be overcome we are perfectly satisfied, and it will be the duty of Messrs Lethbeidge and Fey to find out the obstructionists and their reasons for opposing the wishes of such a large population as that of the Manchester Block. The matter has been allowed to stnnd over longer than was perhaps advisable, but the causes of the delay were unavoidable. However, as they no longer exist, we may expect an early settlement of the question. Certainly, the gentlemen of the deputation must not allow themselves to be put off by any evasion on the part of the Minister, or shelving of the question of making the appointment of a ( lerk to the Bench for Feilding. The money vote for salary of such an officer, viz., £150 per annum, was passed last session, and is on the list of appropriations, so that will ease the way of the Minister towards reversing his decision gracefully. We wish the deputation every success, and hope that the festivities of the season have mollified the Minister of Justice, and allowed Mr Walticb Johnston to remember that he represents the Manawatu, of which the Manchester Block is no insignificant portion; also that constituents have good memories occasionally, us he may discover next election.